Basalt Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Weekly Newsletter.


Pumpkins Up the Fryingpan Valley          Photos by Doug McMillin (sent to 9News)
In This Issue
Welcome New Member!
Transcoast Media
Dyke & Sara Shaw
Heli-Skiing 

Marketing | Advertising and Media Services |
Solutions for Active Lifestyle Companies 

Learn more
(970) 279-5594
email Dyke & Sara
Upcoming Events

FEATURED EVENT!
Annual Holiday
Mid-Valley Chamber Business After Hours
Nov. 19, 5:30-7pm
at Eagle Crest Nursery 
0400 Gillespie Drive
El Jebel 

Co-Hosts
Eagle Crest Nursery
Names & Numbers
Bank of Colorado
Epicurious
& More
 
Festive food & refreshments, the famous "prize wheel," holiday shopping specials, friends & good times  

A Basalt Chamber Member Benefit
Members and 1st time guests attend free
Non-members: $10 

RECURRING EVENTS &
SOCIAL CONNECTIONS
   
Coffee with Mayor Jacque Whitsitt - 8 to 9am
Every 2nd & 4th Wednesday
Saxy's in Downtown Basalt
 
Coffee with Eagle County Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Henry
Every 2nd Wed - 8:15 AM
Cafe Bernards  

Quick Links
Featured Property
Midland Ave Rental

Beautiful streetside location in Downtown Basalt at Riverwalk

227 Midland Avenue #14A

(across from Karen White Interior Designs)
604 square feet with windows to the road and a breezeway to the river.
For sale or rent with option to buy.
Contact (970) 309-3601 
______________

Post your Basalt Real Estate listing here 
 
xo
 
LeadStory Chambers of commerce traditionally advocate for the business community, first and foremost. The Basalt Chamber has long worked to serve that mission and more. Beyond this traditional role, an integral part of our commitment is to inspire community-wide collaborations and help to foster that important "sense of place" which unites business owners, residents and civic leaders in a deep and abiding affection for their town.

This month four impressive awards were bestowed upon members of the Basalt community. 
  • Basalt High School educator Leticia Ingram named 2016 teacher of the year.
  • Cottle Yaw Architects (CCY) received Colorado's distinguished Firm of the Year Award for 2015;
  • The Whole Works, co-founded by three Basalt and one Carbondale-based professional women, won the 5th Annual Wright award for innovation;
  • Harry Teague Architects honored for Design Excellence
Learning about, recognizing and appreciating the accomplishments of our neighbors and associates fosters overall community pride and inspires us each to greater excellence. Please see below to read more about their stories and enjoy.
 
Basalt High School Ceremony        Will Grandbois/Post Independent

Valley Insurance & Health Forum Still In the Works

Last week I wrote about the impending closure of Colorado HealthOp, a lower-priced cooperative insurance provider to 112,000 people around the state. Since then, I've been scurrying around trying to pull together a community forum to address the many questions insureds are left with in the wake of the announcement.

There have been all the ups and downs in trying to organize such an ambitious event in a very short time. Tuesday, after a former legislative aide who'd volunteered to coordinate the speaker side of the planning - thus creating a team of two - notified me that due to an emergency she wouldn't be able to follow through, I was scrambling to figure out how I might be able to keep things going.

Just as I was about to throw in the towel, I received a call from State Senator Kerry Donovan (District 5). Kerry and I discussed our shared concerns and formed a preliminary plan.  Born and raised on the Western Slope with strong roots in the ranching community, Kerry is keenly aware of the unique needs of rural communities and the greater impact here of the HealthOp closure and other narrowing of options. In addition to a forum to streamline communication and provide guidance, we agree on the importance of taking steps to fortify our small-town voice and the continued need for collaborative efforts to build long-term solutions.

Again, no promises. It's a big project, and I'm working fast-track in overtime, but Kerry's stepping in at this critical moment has brought the moon within reach. We're scheduled to speak again this afternoon. As suggested last week, if you're interested in updates, please join the  Basalt CO Community Page on Facebook. It's the easiest way to reach everyone without filling up your inbox.

Robin
Robin Waters
President/CEO 

P.S. Reminder: The deadline to purchase your Basalt Chamber discount ski passes is Friday, November 13. Mark your calendar and stop by the Chamber caboose before then to pick up your voucher. If you're not a Chamber member, this is a perfect time to join!
Basalt Chamber Discount Ski Passes SkiPass
Deadline to Purchase: Friday, November 13
If you ski in our valley, you'll want to take advantage of the Basalt Chamber Discount Ski Pass benefits. Those who work at least 20 hours and make the Roaring Fork Valley their primary home are eligible for substantial discounts off season passes. You must be a member of the Chamber to enjoy this and other valuable benefits.
 
The Early Bird discount deadline is Friday, November 13. Call the Basalt Chamber today at 927-4031 to see if you qualify and learn about all the many other benefits of being part of your local chamber of commerce.

Aspen Skiing Company has opened a down-valley ticket office at Four Mountain Sports. Open Daily until November 13: 11am to 7pm
Stop by the Basalt Chamber to pick up your member voucher then buy your Discount Season Pass 
by November 13 for the best rates 
and save up to $380 off your season pass.
Aspen Skiing Company's letter provides all the detail
Basalt Business Center Association
(Southside Basalt Businesses & Residents)
Tuesday, November 3, 5:30pm
Sotheby's Realty in the upstairs conference room
201 Midland Avenue - Downtown Basalt
RSVP to Amanda

 Basalt GenX-ers and Millennials
Basalt young(er) professionals soon to-be-named
Thursday, November 5, 6-8pm
If you're a "young professional" or young at heart, a creative thinker, and want to join the discussion about the future of Basalt, stop by to see what this group is all about and where it's heading.
Email Chris for location and details.
Basalt High School Educator Named Colorado Teacher of the Year
In a moving ceremony that saw few dry eyes, Basalt High School english language development teacher Leticia Ingram was named 2016 Teacher of the Year by the Colorado Department of Education.

Uninformed of what was ahead, Leticia walked into a crowded auditorium on Monday to a sea of beaming faces - friends, family, students and co-educators. With ultimate humility, Leticia told the audience: "It really wasn't me. All I did was tell your stories."

What makes Leticia especially happy about the award is the opportunity it presents for her to share her love of her calling and let others know "what teachers do really matters." 

Leticia was selected from among more than 48,000 teachers throughout Colorado - 48 thousand!!! She will now serve as a teaching ambassador around the state and nation and is placed in the running for national teacher of the year which will be announced in April, 2016.
Leticia Ingram:
"All I did was tell your stories. This award goes to Basalt High School.
Leticia with students and co-educator

Will Grandbois / Post Independent
Cottle Carr Yaw Architects of Basalt Named AIA 2015 Firm of the Year
Cottle Carr Yaw Architects (CCY), a Basalt-based firm known nationally and internationally for its elegant, innovative "place-based architecture," was recognized on October 15 with Colorado's distinguished Firm of the Year Award for 2015. 

Firm of the Year is the highest honor the American Institute of Architects (AIA) bestows on an architecture firm and is given to the one that consistently produces distinguished architecture, contributes to the profession and has set an example both in design and leadership. The firm must have great depth and breadth and be known for quality work produced in a collaborative environment.

"CCY is widely respected for creating consistently outstanding architecture that beautifully embodies our regionally-inspired style and values," said Scott Rodwin, AIA Colorado Jury Chair. 

Larry Yaw founded the firm more 40 years ago in Aspen and relocated to downtown Basalt in 2001.
L to R: Todd Kennedy, Simon Elliott, Chris Touchette & Matt Lee
AIA Colorado Honors Awards 2015
AIA Colorado Honors Awards 2015
The Whole Works! Wright Awards for innovation
A group of three Basalt and one Carbondale women forging a new model for clothing manufacturing on the Western Slope won the fifth annual Wright Award Tuesday night. The Whole Works, a Rifle-based clothing production facility that employs women transitioning from federal assistance, bested 10 other finalists in the annual Wright Awards ceremony at the Space Gallery, earning $5,000 and recognition as one of the state's most innovative companies
The Whole Works co-founders, Julia Marshall, Kelly Alford, Sadye Harvey and Janie Rich
Winner: WA 10 The Whole Works
Winner: WA 10 The Whole Works

Design Excellence Goes to Harry Teague Architects for Bucksbaum Campus
On October 17, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Western Mountain Region presented Harry Teague's firm with the 2015 Design Excellence, Honor Award for the Bucksbaum Campus-Pond Cluster campus occupied seasonally by both the Aspen Music Festival and School and Aspen Country Day School.

The firm was one of three who received this prestigious award under the Distinguished Building category, all competing in the categories of Unbuilt Design and Distinguished Building with the ranking of Citation, Merit and Honor, the latter being the highest recognition. The AIA Western Mountain Region recognizes architectural and design excellence from throughout its six-state region.

 "As spaces for music and learning this is an ideal contemplative setting and the building curates these
experiences thoughtfully" ~ Benjamin Gilmartin AIA juror.

"The material and diagrammatic explorations translate ito a wonderfully conceived ensemble that keeps its vibrancy and sensitivity of the initial concept" ~ Julio Salcedo, AIA Juror 

10 Best Businesses to Start Right Now!

By Julie Bawden-Davis
in The Hartford BIZAHEAD

Starting your own business requires a giant leap of faith, and the type of business you open could mean the difference between a dream deferred and a thriving business of your own. Depending on the business climate and current trends, certain industries and types of businesses prove more successful than others.

Consider these potentially lucrative ventures.

1. Home Elder Care
With an aging population wishing to remain independent, home elder care services promise to be in demand for years to come. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living, 19 percent of the population will be 65+ by 2030. Earn big bucks providing homecare services, such as cooking, companionship and running errands. Command even higher compensation by adding nursing services to your offerings.
NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS MemberNews 
Events, Updates & Special Offers
v
Did it take you a while to get down to the bottom of this newsletter?

Some of our members thought it might. They asked if we could give their ads and notices more prominent visibility. In case you missed it, last week  we launched the new "Basalt Chamber Member Mondays News & Upcoming Events." If you missed it, you can take a look here or watch for it next Monday.

We'll post your ads, event posters, job announcement, invitations and any other designed outreach materials. Just send us your file in jpg format a few days ahead. It's free for Chamber members once a quarter. After that, it's just $10 per submission. Non-members can get a spot for $25.
Applications for 2016 Business After Hours hosting are already exciting. There's an idea for a patio party, another for showroom gathering. Prospective co-hosts are planning together to create great networking and after-hours social events for the new year.  Please submit your application by November 15.

Applicants must be members of the Basalt Chamber in good standing. Preference will be given to those who've not hosted an event in the last 12 months and for creative and collaborative themes.

But don't let that put you off. If you'd like to host an event and don't have a co-host in mind, contact us and we'll help create a match. If you don't have a storefront and would like to co-host an event with a bricks and mortar business, let us know and we'll connect you. There are many ways to get involved.

Business After Hours are an important Chamber networking benefit. Hosts have an opportunity to showcase your businesses and connect informally with other members. Download your application here and email it by November 1 or mail it to Basalt Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 514, Basalt, CO 81621.
The Basalt Chamber of Commerce seeks proposals from  qualified design firms with a top-notch team able to produce the 2016 Basalt Community Guide & Business Directory.

The ideal candidate(s) will take the magazine from sales and design through printing maintaining the high standard for which it has become known. The purpose of the RFP will be to provide candidates with the scope of expectation and evaluation criteria against which their applications will be judged. 

To receive a copy of the RFP when available, please write Basalt Chamber CEO.
The Basalt Chamber of Commerce is accepting proposals from qualified website designers to consolidate, enhance and upgrade the functionality of our Basalt, CO website and create a separate Economic Development website.

On October 1 an RFP will be available to view. The purpose of the RFP will be to provide candidates with the evaluation criteria against which their applications will be judged. 

If you would like to receive a copy of the RFP when available, please write me here.
November 2015 Voter Information
Town Logo
The Town of Basalt is NOT participating in the upcoming November 2015 election. 

Voter information can be obtained at the following online locations:

Eagle County Residents here
Pitkin County Residents here

You can check or change your voter registration at the Colorado Secretary of State's Office online
Free Publicity for Your Business or Event
Nearly every day I receive an email or two from businesses and organizations with pictures, information or a poster promoting an activity or event. Yet, I seldom see them up on the Basalt CO Community Page on Facebook. It's puzzling.

Why go to the trouble of organizing a local event and creating such nice artwork and not take advantage of this free, social media marketing tool? The only answer I could come up with is that people haven't tried it yet and don't know how quick and easy it is.

So last week I created instructions. Take a look here and the next time you have an event or want to announce a sale, give it a try. It's easy and it takes just a few minutes... to reach nearly 1,200 people and growing in the Basalt area.

While you're there, please add your Facebook friends to the group to expand our reach and community. I have instructions for that too. 

If you're not yet a member of the Basalt CO Community Page, just ask to join. The more the merrier. There's no better FREE way to get information out about your business and events.
Basalt Chamber Mega-Prize Drawing & Fundraiser - Tickets at the Caboose
Basalt Chamber 1st Annual Mega-Prize Drawing
Download the Poster Here & Get Your Tickets at the Caboose Raffle
A mountain of thanks to our generous gift donors!
About the Basalt Area Chamber of Commerce

www.BasaltChamber.com
Red Caboose in Lions Park
PO Box 514
Basalt, CO 81621
(970) 927-4031
The Basalt Area Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)6 membership organization dedicated to supporting the healthy and vibrant development of Basalt's businesses and community. Members enjoy lively networking events, educational programs, peer support, member-to-member discounts, and complimentary and discounted advertising, club memberships, ski vouchers and more.

Memberships are affordable and offer high value. To inquire about the rate for your business to join, please call (970) 927-4031.
To submit and online application, click here.  
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